We gazed with terror on their gloomy sleep, Untaught that soon such anguish must ensue, Our hopes such harvest of affliction reap, That we the mercy of the waves should rue: Seemed to return, dried the last lingering tear, And from her grateful heart a fresh one drew : The whilst her comrade to her pensive cheer We reached the western world, a poor Tempered fit words of hope; and the lark devoted crew. warbled near. The mine's dire earthquake, and the pallid host Driven by the bomb's incessant thunderstroke To loathsome vaults, where heart-sick anguish tossed, Hope died, and fear itself in agony was lost! XL "Some mighty gulf of separation past, The impatient mariner the sail unfurled, At morn my sick heart hunger scarcely stung, Nor to the beggar's language could I fit my tongue. XLIII 'So passed a second day; and, when the third Was come, I tried in vain the crowd's resort. -In deep despair, by frightful wishes Near the sea-side I reached a ruined fort; support, With blindness linked, did on my vitals And, after many interruptions short The silent sea. XLI "And oft I thought (my fancy was so strong) Roaming the illimitable waters round; And homeless near a thousand homes I And near a thousand tables pined and wanted food. XLII "No help I sought; in sorrow turned adrift, Nor morsel to my mouth that day did lift, From the cross-timber of an out-house hung: Dismally tolled, that night, the city clock ! crawl: Unsought for was the help that did my life recall.. XLIV "The roads I paced, I loitered through the fields; Contentedly, yet sometimes self-accused. But what afflicts my peace with keenest ruth, Is that I have my inner self abused, Foregone the home delight of constant truth, And clear and open soul, so prized in fearless youth. L 'Through tears the rising sun I oft have viewed, Through tears have seen him towards that world descend Where my poor heart lost all its fortitude: Three years a wanderer now my course I bend- Oh! tell me whither-for no earthly friend Have I."-She ceased, and weeping turned away; As if because her tale was at an end, LI True sympathy the Sailor's looks expressed, His looks-for pondering he was mute the while. Of social Order's care for wretchedness, 'Twas not for him to speak-a man so tried. Yet, to relieve her heart, in friendly style Proverbial words of comfort he applied, And not in vain, while they went pacing side by side. LII Ere long, from heaps of turf, before their sight, Together smoking in the sun's slant beam, Rise various wreaths that into one unite Which high and higher mounts with silver gleam: Fair spectacle, but instantly a scream Thence bursting shrill did all remark pre vent; They paused, and heard a hoarser voice blaspheme, Trusted my life to what chance bounty And female cries. Their course they yields, Now coldly given, now utterly refused. The ground I for my bed have often used: thither bent, And met a man who foamed with anger vehement. |